Ever wonder how can you maximize your visit to Tybee Island? We have gathered the best insider tips so you can plan a dream trip to one of the most unique places you'll ever visit.

BEST PLACE TO LAY DOWN YOUR TOWEL Park near the Tybee Beach Beach and Pavilion (Tybrisa St, Tybee Island, GA 31328) use the bridge in front of the Tybee Island Marine Center turn right and walk towards the rock formation close to the sand dunes. This portion of the beach has a smoother sand, lots of shallow areas that are perfect for little kids to bathe safely, is less crowded, and because it's close to the sand dunes you will see a large variety of seaside birds.

Our Daddy Needs A Kidney! Greensboro Family Turns To Community To Help Them Find A Donor

Since
the age of 34, Raleigh
Callaway a 24-year veteran investigator for the city of Greensboro
Police Department, has
fought like a warrior against diabetes, hypertension and chronic
kidney disease. His commitment to regular exercise, diet management
requiring constant measuring of food contents, keeping regular
doctor’s appointments and taking all medications as prescribed has
allowed him to avoid what he feared most…until now.

At the age of
49, despite all that he’s done to break the cycle, genetics have
reared their ugly head and taken over his body, nearly completely.
His kidneys are functioning at only 10% which has made him anemic to
the point of requiring weekly injections to stimulate red blood cell
production. He will most likely begin dialysis within the next 30
days, depending on how soon his port can be placed and how long it
takes the port site to heal for daily use. He has opted to dialyze
through PD (Peritoneal Dialysis). PD differs from the most common
dialysis method (hemodialysis) because his port will filter waste
from his abdomen rather than his blood stream. He will connect to a
machine each night, allowing specially-compounded fluids to attract
and trap waste, then drain the waste into a drainage bag, all while
he sleeps. He chose this form of dialysis in hopes of continuing to
be able to work full-time to provide for our family.

His
wife Kristi
Callaway, hopes
and pray that her plea posted on facebook is shared time and time
again and is read by someone who is a match for her husband.

**
How
does this affect our family?
Just to name a few… Raleigh
is at an increased risk of developing a hernia if he lifts more than
20 pounds. Our girls weigh 30 and 42 pounds, so plane rides and air
tosses will have to wait until…Raleigh
will miss at least one, possibly two weeks of work as he heals from
the port placement. Once healed, his connection time to fill, collect
and drain can’t be predicted. His sleep and work hours may need to
be adjusted.Due
to the increased risk of infection, bathing, even in his own tub,
swimming and excessive sweating must be avoided to lessen the risk of
infection which could set the stage for peritonitis, an infection at
his port site that extends to outer areas.When
traveling, we’ll have to plan to accommodate his dialyzing
equipment, which includes bags of fluid, so we’ll probably need to
take short trips.

**
What
can you do to help?First,
and foremost, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP OUR FAMILY IN YOUR
PRAYERS!!!!!For
those who wish to take part in trying to save Raleigh’s quality of
life by finding a compatible kidney, please get tested to see if YOU
are the donor match he needs. The initial testing consists of a
simple blood test. Emory has assured us that they try their best to
accommodate potential donors by allowing their initial testing to be
done at a hospital or lab close to the donor. Those
of you willing to give the gift of life have questions, I’m sure,
and I’ll try to answer a few of them here.

---What
if I don’t know my blood type?
It’s okay! Raleigh’s blood type is AB+ and is considered the
universal recipient, meaning he can accept blood from anybody. The
key factor when determining compatibility is the reactivity of
Raleigh’s antibodies to the potential donor’s antibodies. A
simple blood test can provide this information.

---What
if I don’t have insurance to cover the testing and surgery if I am
a match?
It’s okay! For any potential donor without insurance, Raleigh’s
insurance will pay for testing of all potential donors as well as
surgery if you are the match we’re praying to find. For those with
insurance, you may or may not have “donor benefits”. If you
don’t, again, Raleigh’s insurance will cover all expenses. If you
do have donor benefits, Raleigh’s insurance will pay any fees your
insurance doesn't cover.

---What
is the recovery time if I am a match and donate my kidney?
The donor’s recovery time is much less than Raleigh’s –
typically 3-7 days. Raleigh’s recovery time will be 8-12 weeks
after receiving a transplant.

---Will
I be reimbursed for travel, lodging and time missed from work if I
donate my kidney?
Not through Raleigh’s insurance, but there is a fund to cover these
expenses.

---Will
my one remaining kidney be able to function as two?
Yes! Most donors’ remaining kidney actually grows slightly in order
to take over the full role. The kidney function of donors
pre-donation compared to post-donation is generally the same or very
close to. Some of you may have additional questions, and I’d be
glad to give, find out or lead you to the answers.

If
it is in your heart to possibly give the gift of life, please message
Kristi Callaway on Facebook or email her at kcallaway0106@aol.com.
She will provide you with the phone number to Emory’s donation
center as well as Raleigh’s identifiable information, which you’ll
need when calling to register as a potential donor.